Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Tutorial Tuesday - Making The Most Out Of Collage Stamps

Do you shy away from collage stamps because you don't know how to use them? Do you draw a blank when you pick up a collage stamp? Do you wonder how to make the most out of your collage stamp? If you answer yes to any one of these questions, then this tutorial is for you. I used to be stumped when it came time to using collage stamps, thinking I had to add way too many elements and embellishments. Once I learned to accept the "less is more" rule, I learned to love my collage stamps. The stamp used in my first photo is from Magenta. In photo 5 I used an Inkadinkado flourish. All others are from Hero Arts.

This collage stamp had a background script that I did not want to use, so I used a Tombow marker to ink up the area of the stamp I wanted to use, and "huffed" on it to moisten the ink before the image was stamped. Next, I masked the image then stamped the diamond stamp over top of the masked area with Versamark, and embossed with gold embossing powder. This is an alcohol ink smoosh technique. Using black Stazon, stamp your image onto acetate and let dry. Turn your image over and on the back, drop alcohol inks onto the acetate, being careful not to muddy the colours. Take your second image and smoosh both backsides together to allow the ink to smoosh around. This is the end result of the alcohol ink smooshing technique. One way to adhere the acetate to the card front is to punch two holes through the acetate and card front layers, and add a ribbon. This vibrant card uses the baby wipe technique. Once the background is dry, stamp your image with Stazon and let dry completely and then matt your image in coordinating colours.Carry the flourish from the collage stamp onto the card front by stamping a flourish onto the top and the bottom of the card front before adhering the matted image.

This elegant card background is one of my favourites. It is known as Tapestry. Edges were torn and left white to match the white embossing powder. To complete the elegant feel I was looking for, I added silk ribbon.

This is another card using the Tapestry background.

This is one of my favourite collaged cards. Although there are a lot of elements used in this card, it maintains an elegant look. How did I achieve this effect? By sticking with similar elements by using two colours: Cool Caribbean and pink; and matching flourish stamps. The collage stamp was stamped onto three colours: Cool Caribbean, pink and white. The white background was lightly sponged with coordinating ink. The definition was cut from the pink paper, and the flower was cut from the Cool Caribbean paper, and adhered on top of the white image. The Inkadinkado flourish was stamped onto the white background, and the Hero Arts flourish was stamped onto the top and bottom of the card front.

Why not make a tag? This is a fun way to add beauty to that gift you are giving. This tag was cut with my Cricut. The image was stamped on top of the mulberry paper batik technique and adhered to the tag. (I apologize for the quality of this photo). Direct to paper, or polished stone, was the background used for this card. The image was stamped onto the background with black Stazon.

This card uses the shaving cream technique in the background. To carry on the orange in the background, an orange Prima flower was added, and orange flourishes were stamped along the side of the card front.

I hope I was able to show you new ways to use your collage stamps. By remembering the golden rule of "less is more" you can create beautiful cards. Now, go create.

What amazing examples Beth! I especially like the pink swirls collage. Thanks for the reminder to do the alcohol smoosh technique as I haven't done that for ages. Ahhh, so many techniques....so little time!

Oh my heck! You are the queen of tutorials. I have so many fabulous collage stamps that are begging to be inked up like this. I most especially love what you did with transparencies. So simple, but so elegant.

Sorry I am so behind in reading blogs...but lucky for me this was still up on your main page! Beth you are queen of tutorials-you make every so simple! Love all your ideas on collage stamps!Thanks for sharing you knowledge and talent!...Jan